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USA Today
01-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Who is Triple H? 'Strong guy' joined Trump in presidential fitness test announcement
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on July 31, reinstating the presidential fitness test. The fitness test, which was overhauled under President Barack Obama, requires students to do physical challenges, including push-ups and running a mile. "This is an important step in our mission to make America healthy again," Trump said at the signing, where he also reinstated the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Trump had with him several prominent athletes and sports figures, some of whom will be appointed to that council. Here is what to know about the event and the attendees: 'Make America Fit Again': Trump brings back mile run, push up test for schools Who is Triple H? Paul Levesque, known as "Triple H," is a former wrestler and the chief content officer for the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He has also been known in the wrestling world as The Connecticut Blue Blood, The King of Kings, The Cerebral Assassin and The Game. His WWE bio states he is in the WWE Hall of Fame, class of 2025. "(A) man who you're not gonna mess around with," Trump called him at the event, shortly before patting him on the arm and squeezing his bicep. "Very strong. He's a strong guy." Triple H is the son-in-law of Linda McMahon, the Secretary of Education, who was also in attendance at the signing. What is the presidential fitness test? The presidential fitness test originally consisted of five events: The one-mile run, pull-ups or flexed-arm hang, sit-ups, shuttle run and the sit-and-reach. Right-angle push-ups were later incorporated. It first became part of physical education classes under President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956, but sunsetted in the 2012-2013 school year under the Obama administration. The fitness test was dropped to shift focus from students' performance to overall health as they grow up. The executive order signed by Trump said the administration is bringing back the test due to the high rates of obesity and chronic disease in the U.S. Lawrence Taylor, Harrison Butker also joined signing event Trump was joined at the event by athletes across golf, football and wrestling. Also in attendance were LIV golfer Bryson DeChambeau, Texas Tech's Name, Image and Likeness collective head Cody Campbell, and former pro-golfer ten-time major champion Annika Sorenstam. Some controversial figures also attended: Kansas City Chiefs' kicker Harrison Butker, who gave a controversial commencement speech in 2024 that told women they should focus on their home lives above their careers; and Lawrence Taylor, seen as the greatest defensive player in NFL history who is a registered sex offender after admitting to having sex with a prostitute he believed was 19 years old but was actually 16, according to the Times Herald-Record. It was not immediately clear if all those in attendance would be on the presidential council, which falls under Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The White House did not immediately respond to an inquiry from USA TODAY. Contributing: Jon Hoefling, Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@ Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Donald Trump signs executive order to ‘Make America Fit Again': What is the Presidential Fitness Test as push-up tests return to schools
President Donald Trump has officially revived the iconic Presidential Fitness Test, once a hallmark of American physical education classes. With the stroke of an executive order on July 31, Trump aims to 'Make America Fit Again' by reinstating rigorous physical challenges for schoolchildren nationwide, including mile runs, push-ups, and sit-ups. Citing rising obesity rates and declining youth fitness, the Trump administration argues that performance-based assessments will foster a stronger, healthier generation. The move marks a sharp reversal of the Obama-era program that had shifted focus from physical performance to long-term wellness. Make America Fit Again : Trump's push to restore physical standards The Presidential Fitness Test was first introduced in 1956 by President Dwight Eisenhower to address concerns that American children were falling behind their global peers in physical health. It quickly became a staple in schools, assessing strength, endurance, and flexibility through standardized exercises. For decades, students trained to earn the coveted Presidential Fitness Award. But by 2013, the Obama administration replaced the test with a more holistic program focusing on lifelong health habits and personal fitness goals, marking a shift away from high-pressure physical benchmarks. Trump's executive order and new fitness goals Trump's latest executive order reintroduces the test across public schools and reinstates the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Legendary Cars from the Past Undo Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been tasked with overseeing the effort and shaping updated criteria for the modern era. The council will create new school-based programs, reward high-achieving students with a renewed Presidential Fitness Award, and help align the test with goals of American youth strength, military readiness, and healthy living. What the test includes for today's students The revived Presidential Fitness Test will include several familiar components that measure a student's physical capabilities: Push-ups for upper-body strength Sit-ups or crunches to test core endurance The sit-and-reach stretch for flexibility A one-mile run to evaluate cardiovascular stamina Pull-ups or the flexed-arm hang to assess muscular strength These tests will be evaluated against age-based benchmarks. While the test will be required in physical education classes, how results impact grading will vary by school district. Why the original test was removed in 2013 The Obama-era shift toward the Presidential Youth Fitness Program was designed to reduce competition and anxiety in fitness assessments. Health experts at the time argued the traditional test led to unhealthy comparisons, discouraged participation, and made students feel judged rather than supported. The new model emphasized personal progress and allowed teachers, students, and parents to use scores privately to encourage improvement rather than public performance. Pushback and concerns over Trump's mandate Despite strong support from Trump and his base, the return of the test has sparked pushback from educators and health professionals. Critics argue that: It may pressure students who struggle with physical activity Some schools lack the funding or staffing to properly implement it The focus on performance over progress could alienate children with physical challenges Nevertheless, the administration insists the rebooted test will include updated guidelines to promote fairness and student well-being while restoring national fitness goals. Fitness, patriotism, and politics Trump's revival of the test is about more than just exercise. 'Make America Fit Again' is both a slogan and a signal—a return to an era of discipline, competition, and national pride. The move aligns with his broader cultural message emphasizing strength, readiness, and traditional American values. As schools prepare to reintroduce this once-feared challenge, the question remains: will the old-school fitness test help shape a healthier generation, or reignite an old debate about how we define wellness in America's youth?
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Donald Trump revives the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools: What is it and how does it work?
President has signed an executive order bringing back the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools, after it had been shelved for more than a decade. He declared the move part of a broader push to Make America Fit Again and combat what officials called a health crisis among youth. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Presidential Fitness Test dates back to the 1950s and officially launched in 1966 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. It was part of the President's Council on Youth Fitness, created by President Eisenhower, inspired by concerns over declining child fitness in the US. The test is a series of physical tasks designed to measure core fitness skills: a timed one-mile run, sit-ups, pull-ups or push-ups, the sit-and-reach flexibility test, and often a shuttle run. Students who scored in the top percentiles, often above the 85th, could earn the Presidential Physical Fitness Award, like a patch or certificate with the presidential seal. How it worked then and how it could work now Back then, students took the test at least twice a year (fall and spring), and it was woven into gym class. It was all about performance, competition, and pushing physical limits. But in 2012, the Obama administration phased it out and replaced it with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, which focused more on individual health markers like BMI, aerobic capacity, and personalized goals rather than standardized competition. So what's different this time? Trump's new executive order reinstates the original Presidential Fitness Test, with its old-school events and competitive format. He also revived the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition staffed with notable athletes like Bryson DeChambeau, Annika Sorenstam, Harrison Butker, Lawrence Taylor, and Triple H (WWE exec) tasked with developing the criteria for the revamped test and awards. 'For me, it was a huge item of pride when I was growing up," Kenneday said at the signing ceremony. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Council's scope extends into broader youth fitness, college athletics, and nutrition strategies. The administration argues this move is timely, especially after a recent report by Health and Human Services indicating crisis levels of inactivity and obesity among kids. Trump and officials say that the Fitness Test will reintroduce competition and accountability, potentially motivating students to be more active. Back in May, the Department of Health and Human Services, now under Kennedy's leadership, dropped a pretty alarming report: American kids are dealing with more chronic health problems than ever, and a lot of it comes down to not moving enough and eating junk. Kennedy even called it a 'health emergency,' and honestly, he's not wrong. The report pointed out how today's youth just aren't as active or fit as they used to be. It mentioned a study from the Physical Activity Alliance that showed over 70% of kids aged 6 to 17, and a shocking 85% of teens, didn't hit the 2024 federal guideline for daily exercise (that's moderate-to-vigorous movement, every day). If rolled out correctly, the program would likely include these events: Timed one-mile run (aerobic endurance) Sit-ups and push‑ups/pull‑ups (core and upper-body strength) Shuttle run or agility drill (speed and coordination) Sit‑and‑reach flexibility test (hamstring/lower back flexibility)
